Chapter Five, Old Disciple.

Astral armor emerged from Li Qiang's body, and Zhao Hao immediately understood why he had to take off his clothes. The little underpants turned into ashes in an instant, and the purple light illuminated the entire room. The small silver shield hung in the air, and two purple flames shot out from Li Qiang's hands, burning incessantly.

Zhao Hao, the old apprentice, went all out to invite Li Qiang to the silver building. Li Qiang also wanted to rely on his experience to inquire about the situation of the Tian Ting Star, and at the same time, he wanted to find a quiet place to practice some urgently needed devices, so he followed him.

Mr. Zhao waved his hand to stop Zhao Degui and asked, "Have you 'integrated' yet? Hmm, it doesn't seem like it...". He used respectful language, with a tone of sincere anxiety and fear.

How about calling it "Crimson Flame Dragon Shield"?

Li Qiang nods his head like a chicken pecking at rice, repeatedly saying, "Yes, yes."

Zhao Degui picked up the Rainbowlite and said, "This is the first time I've seen such a high-quality fairy stone." After examining it carefully, he said, "This Rainbowlite is worth at least 100,000 taels of silver, and its price would be even higher in the capital."

"Old monkey, can't I come and play?" Cheng Zizhong also had a smile on his face, pointing at Li Qiang and saying, "I brought a big customer with me. How can you thank me?" While introducing Li Qiang, he said, "He is Zhao Degui from Zhaoji Treasure Silver Jewelry Tower. He is famous in Hanlin City and is known by everyone in all walks of life. He also has a silver shop in the capital." He continued, "This is Mr. Li Qiang, who has just arrived in Hanlin. You two should get to know each other. Hey, old monkey, why don't you invite Mr. Li in?"

Zhao Hao is actually ignorant and uninformed. Cultivators in the cultivation world never consider themselves as immortals, while cultivators who reach the Nascent Soul stage are as numerous as hairs on an ox. Cultivators who can reach this stage generally avoid the secular society and focus on cultivating in seclusion. Moreover, Tian Ting Xing is not a planet where cultivators gather. The true planet dominated by cultivators is the Feng Yuan Xing where Fu Shan is located. Li Qiang's appearance here can only be described as an accident.

That evening, Li Qiang began to practice his first weapon. When he returned to his residence with the collected materials and tools, his senior apprentice Zhao Hao refused to leave and insisted on staying in the room. He dismissed the servants and closed the door, standing devoutly by the side, watching Li Qiang intently.

The thirty-centimeter silver arm shield has changed its appearance, with a golden purple hue shining through the silver. The coiled dragon on the shield's surface slightly protrudes, baring its teeth and claws as if about to soar into the sky. The flame-shaped edges of the shield seem to be truly ablaze. Li Qiang himself was amazed and incredulous: "Did I really create such a beautiful arm shield? I can hardly believe it."

Due to Li Qiang's foundation in "Purple Flame Heart", which belongs to the fire attribute, it is of great help in refining tools. There are two types of refining: "Craft Refining" and "Heart Refining", which are completely different. "Craft Refining" uses tools as the cauldron, immortal stones as the fire, and controls cultivation with true yuan. "Heart Refining" uses the heaven and earth as the cauldron, uses the Samadhi True Fire and true yuan to control cultivation, and is the supreme method for refining top-quality tools.

Li Qiang's spirit has completely merged into the small silver shield. He discovered that there was a small protective array inside the silver shield, but there was no trace of energy. Because the manufacturing method was recorded in the Jade Eye Manual, it was not difficult for him. After careful adjustment, Li Qiang began to input energy.

Zhao Hao was stunned. This is the Samadhi True Fire, also known as the Heart Fire. Only those who have cultivated the Yuanying stage possess such powerful true essence. He thought to himself, "So Master has already cultivated the Yuanying stage, and has become an immortal."

The arm shield automatically attaches to the left arm when raised, immediately feeling as if it is integrated with oneself. As long as the true elemental force is activated, the formation inside the arm shield will immediately activate. Li Qiang was eager to test its power and smiled happily when he saw Zhao Hao.

After completing the core part, Li Qiang decided to make the appearance of the Silver Shield more attractive. The first image that came to mind was a "dragon". In any case, the totem of the Chinese nation is always rooted in the hearts of every descendant of Yan and Huang. Li Qiang felt that using a dragon as the shield surface was very appropriate.

The senior disciple Zhao Hao grasped his famous weapon "Giant Wind Blade", exerted eighty percent of his true strength, and shouted loudly, "Watch the blade!"

Just as he stood up, there was a loud noise "gudong" next to him, which startled Li Qiang. Who could make such a loud noise, like throwing a big bull? He looked down and saw the fat shopkeeper of the ready-to-wear shop kneeling on the ground. Li Qiang suppressed his laughter and said, "Get up, or else I'll leave."

Li Qiangqi said: "Please tell me."

After a fierce struggle, Zhao Hao finally achieved his goal. This elderly man in his seventies became Li Qiang's first registered apprentice.

Li Qiang had a sudden inspiration and decided to add another formation in the Silver Shield, a formation for attack.

An elderly tall man walked into the room. His snow-white hair was gathered on top of his head, and his two long eyebrows were like two unsheathed swords slanting into his temples. His wide mouth was neatly combed with a steel needle-like beard. The old man gave people a very generous feeling, and Li Qiang felt a liking for him at first sight.

Please ask the old master to come quickly.

The old man has arrived. A servant reported.

Zhao Hao's level of cultivation has not reached this stage yet. He doesn't know how to practice, and he can't help but feel nervous.

Zhao Degui was flustered, never having seen the old master with such an expression, a strange mix of crying and smiling. Zhao Degui called out, "Father, father, what's the matter with you?"

First, take off your clothes and only wear a pair of briefs. Take out the protective gear, which is a diamond-shaped arm shield, only thirty centimeters in size, silver-white, with no patterns on it. Look at Zhao Hao and remind him again, "When I am refining the equipment, do not disturb me. Just watch."

The boss of the ready-to-wear shop, Qi Pangzi, whose small eyes were originally squinted into a line, suddenly widened into round circles. Greedy light flickered in his eyes. He wiped his mouth and kept muttering in his heart: "Bodhisattva of wealth, please have mercy on me. I have climbed up the path of wealth. I, I offered too low a price."

Cheng Zizhong saw it first, took a deep breath of cool air, and exclaimed, "Extraordinary immortal stones, jade, and even precious gems! Hey, old monkey, come take a look!" His voice had changed.

Li Qiang's starting point is very high. "Ziyan Heart" itself is a kind of unconscious YuanYing. He is equivalent to having YuanYing first, and then making up for the missing parts in the previous cultivation. His mentality naturally changes with the level of refinement.

The shopkeeper of the ready-to-wear clothing store hurried in and shouted, "Zhao, the master of the house, I have brought an important guest for you. Come out and greet them quickly."

Li Qiang screamed, "No, no, I dare not accept you as my disciple. Please, please don't kneel anymore. Can we just learn from each other, is that okay?" He thought to himself, "I'm just selling some gemstones, but now I have a disciple who is older than my father. How can I continue to thrive with him around?"

Li Qiang sighed helplessly and said, "Okay, okay, I am merciful, I am merciful, please get up quickly." He thought to himself, "Is it necessary to go through all this trouble just to cultivate the Tao?"

Li Qiang nodded and placed two palm-sized top-grade jadeite, a piece of fine rainbowed stone, and four diamonds of varying sizes on the coffee table. He asked, "Lao Zhao, do you think these are valuable?"

Under the mediation of Cheng Zizhong, Feng Kaiyun had no choice but to agree. Before leaving, Li Qiang gave Feng Kaiyun, Cheng Zizhong, and the four maidservants many gifts. Feng Kaiyun was somewhat pleasantly surprised to receive the gifts. It didn't matter what the gifts were, what mattered was that he could see that Li Qiang had no ill intentions towards him.

He first set up a defensive formation in the room, activated it with true elemental power, checked it for accuracy, and instructed Zhao Hao on how to enter and exit. He had him stand at the Kun position of the defensive formation, because once he began practicing, the temperature inside the defensive formation would be unbearable for Zhao Hao to withstand. Only by standing at the Yin corner of the Kun position would he be unaffected. After all preparations were complete, he began his first practice.

The owner of the ready-to-wear shop followed Li Qiang anxiously, muttering to himself while secretly praying: "My money, may Buddha bless it!"

He didn't know that cultivating immortality on this planet was such a difficult task. Apart from consuming energy, one also had to spend a lot of money to buy immortal stones and seek guidance from experienced masters. If one failed to reach the Nascent Soul stage in their lifetime, all their efforts would be in vain.

Li Qiang was both angry and amused, and he didn't feel comfortable asking him to leave.

Old disciple Zhao Hao was both surprised and delighted. The weapon that Master gave him must be a treasure of the immortal family. "Thank you, Master. Does this arm shield have a name?" Seeing Li Qiang shake his head, he continued, "I have a name in mind, but I don't know if Master likes it or not."

Actually, Li Qiang was already very wealthy when he was on Earth. Moreover, as he has cultivated to the Spiritual Silence stage, his need for material possessions has rapidly decreased. He has already surpassed the Spiritual Silence stage and reached the initial stage of the Nascent Soul stage. For ordinary cultivators, from the Heart Movement stage to the Spiritual Silence stage, they need to spend a lot of effort to restrain the temptation of material life. If they fail, not only will they not be able to maintain the Spiritual Silence stage, but even the Heart Movement stage will be in vain, and they must start cultivating again from the Fusion stage.

Li Qiang felt guilty and helped up Zhao Hao, saying, "Ah, I broke your weapon. How about this, I will forge a new one for you as a gesture of apology."

Li Qiang is well aware that "harmony among people" is essential anywhere.

Under Li Qiang's insistence, the jewelry on the coffee table was given as a gift to Zhao Hao's family. The Rainbow Stone was given to Zhao Hao for cultivation. The Silver Tower settled the account with the clothing store. Li Qiang generously gave the cloak to Cheng Zizhong and selected some jewelry and other items for the four younger sisters.

The energy gradually fills the silver shield. Li Qiang uses the "断字诀" to separate the true essence, uses the "固字诀" to seal the formation, and uses the "转字诀" to make the formation flow slowly within the silver shield. Although not very proficient, he still successfully completes it.

Zhao Degui nodded and bowed, letting a group of people into the inner hall and seating them for tea.

With a thud, Mr. Zhao knelt down on the ground and said with his forehead touching the ground, "Please enlighten me, Master. The younger generation just underwent a consecration ceremony two years ago, but it seems to have been stagnant recently. Please, Master, have mercy and accept me as your disciple."

Li Qiang cannot accept this. In modern China, besides worshiping ancestors and deities, who would kneel down and worship living people.

The giant wind blade shatters.

Everyone in the room was completely confused and didn't understand what the two of them were talking about.

The small shop recently made a batch of gold and silver jewelry. Does Mr. Li practice martial arts? I just obtained three pieces of top-grade immortal stones from the capital. Would you like to take a look?

Then let Zhao Hao become Master Li's registered disciple, how about it?

Li Qiang was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized. Cheng Zizhong had just said that he was a cultivator. He smiled and said two words: "Yuanying".

After staying only one night in the guest room of the prefectural yamen, Li Qiang requested to move to a hotel. It was not that he had any complaints about Feng Kaiyun, but he simply wanted to learn more about the local customs and practices, which he could not see in the prefectural yamen.

A gust of wind cut through the air, and the sharp sound of breaking through the air made people's scalps tingle. Li Qiang's mind moved with his thoughts, and the protective formation of the arm shield began to activate. A dragon full of flames and purple-gold color surrounded his body, and the attack formation also started to activate, "Ping..." "Boom..."

Cheng Zizhong introduced, "This is the best and largest silver building in the city, Zhaoji Precious Silver and Jewelry Building. Don't just stand there, shopkeeper, go in and say hello."

Zhao Hao's knife was like hacking onto a steel pillar, and what terrified him was that the steel pillar would rebound. While the Giant Wind Knife shattered, the recoil made his entire arm numb, and his tiger's mouth was bleeding. He watched the purple-golden dragon pounce towards him and thought to himself, "It's over." Suddenly, he felt a tightness on his collar, and he flew out like riding on clouds and mist.

Li Qiang secretly thought it was not good, and quickly stopped his attack formation. As he moved, he grabbed Zhao Hao's collar and threw him out. "That was close! So close! He almost got himself killed. It would be a joke if it got out that my first disciple was killed by the first arm shield I forged. Ridiculous!"

It is extremely easy to forge the shield surface using the Samadhi True Fire. The appearance of the shield surface will be exactly as one imagines it to be. Li Qiang then crafted the edges of the silver shield into a flame shape and embedded some gold and silver threads as embellishments. Finally, the great work was completed.

Sitting on the ground, Zhao Hao felt a thousand emotions: "In the Three Kingdoms of the 'Green Basin', my martial arts skills are outstanding, no matter how you look at it, I am a master. Master only used a small arm shield to test me, but I couldn't even make a move. If it weren't for Master's intervention, it would have been unimaginable!"

Please take a seat, Master. Zhao respectfully said.

These three things, all of them are in the bracelet left to him by Fu Shan, but they are all semi-finished products in their early stages, lacking a lot of refinement. Li Qiang decided to first refine these three things, accumulate some experience, after all, cultivating tools are still a first for him.

Li Qiang opened his eyes and looked at the arm shield in his hand, a sense of pride overflowing on his face.

Zhao Hao was extremely happy. He was busy like a bee in the silver building, not only cleaning up the entire backyard, but also finding several servants to serve Li Qiang. After everything was done, he followed closely behind Li Qiang, obediently listening to his master's teachings.

His old man is a cultivator, a famous semi-immortal, and the real backstage boss here, very powerful. Cheng Zizhong quietly told Li Qiang.

As soon as Mr. Zhao entered the door, he saw Li Qiang at a glance. His gaze never looked elsewhere, staring straight at him, even ignoring Cheng Zizhong's greeting as if he hadn't heard it.

And Mr. Zhao is determined to seek a master.

At this point, the importance of the storage bracelet became apparent. One by one, fairy stones emerged from the hand and were thrown into the silver shield. They were respectively: four water-type fairy stones for their softness, two gold-type fairy stones for their sharpness, and one fire-type fairy stone for its explosiveness.

When Li Qiang declined, he smiled and advised, "Listen to me, it seems that Mr. Li is unwilling to take on disciples."

Li Qiang is preparing to first cultivate a protective gear, a crossbow, and a spear.

Accompanied by the master of the prefectural yamen in person, it can be inferred that the visitor must be of great importance. Zhao Degui, full of joy, warmly greeted them. Four young girls, referred to as "sisters" by Mr. Li, had their female relatives come out and brought some snacks to accompany the conversation.

Zhao Degui was silly, even his father knelt down and couldn't stand up, and "plop" he also knelt down. Then, a series of "plop" sounds followed, as the companions saw the head of the family kneeling, they also knelt down, unable to stand, and all knelt down.

Gently tapping the coffee table, Li Qiang coughed and chuckled to himself, "Huh! I wasn't really excited when I got it, it's just a few pieces of stone after all."

Due to being the first time manufacturing, bumps and modifications were unavoidable, but it was finally completed.

Walking up to Mr. Zhao, Li Qiang went to help him. Unexpectedly, the old man was quite stubborn and refused to get up, repeatedly saying, "Master, have mercy! Master, have mercy!"

Zhao Datang is busy instructing the staff to bring the jewelry when he was startled by Cheng Zizhong. He turned his head and saw something on the coffee table, and was also stunned. Having been in the jewelry business for so long, he had never seen such beautiful pearls and jade.

Senior apprentice Zhao Hao felt that he had broadened his horizons. Although he had been guarding for seven days and seven nights, he was still very happy.

Li Qiang cheered loudly and said, "Great, I like it. Let's call it 'Red Flame Dragon Shield', haha."

Cheng Zizhong paid respects to Master Zhao, and he was not surprised. After all, it is not shameful to learn from those who have achieved. What surprised him was that this Li Qiang seemed to be afraid of others kneeling before him. As long as someone kneels, he becomes flustered.

The old man Zhao said anxiously: "Don't call me old man Zhao, call me Zhao Hao. Master, no matter what, you must accept me as your disciple. I earnestly implore you." His resolute attitude made Li Qiang shudder.

Hey, it's you, Qi Pangzi. Slow down and don't fall. Who's the distinguished guest coming in? Amidst laughter, a small and agile middle-aged man greeted them, "Isn't this Master Cheng? You're such a busy person, how come you have time to come to our small shop!" His tone was warm.